Cone-winding machine



G. MARCROFT.

CONE WINDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23, 1918.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

INVENTOKI ,M #0; A TO NE S:

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TQ QM G. MARCROFT.

coma WINDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23. I9I8.

1,348,291. Patented Aug- 3, 1920.

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ATTO NE S the drawings:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE MARCROFT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL WINDING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- c rusnrrs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

CONE-WINDING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application filed October 23, 1918. Serial No. 259,344.

My invention relates to winding machines and consists of an improved cone-winder for producing conical packages of thread, yarn or other textiles. The object of my improvement is to provide a machine for winding a cone-package of improved form, having a convex base and a concaved apex end, whereby the yarn or other material is so disposed about its central core or support as to secure a more stable structure in the cone and a freer delivery of the yarn in unwinding it therefrom. To this end my improvement consists essentially in providing means for positively and progressively shifting the traverse of the thread-guide, which deposits the coils of winding in place, longitudinally of the cone-holder so that successive layers of the windingare gradually stepped forward toward the apex end of the cone to cause the base to assume a convex shape while the small end of the cone becomes correspondingly concaved.

The manner and means for carrying out the improvement are fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts.v In

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a well known type of winding -machine showing my improvement applied thereto;

Fig. 2, an enlarged, plan view of a portion of the traverse-mechanism of the machine showing the connection between the traverse-cam and the slide which transmits motion to the thread-guide; and

Fig. 3, an enlarged, end elevation of a portion of the traverse-cam showing its connection with the traverse-slide and also illustrating different positions of the traverse-frame which carries the thread-guide as the latter recedes from the axis of the winding-spindle.

Referring first to Fig. 1, 2 designates the main frame of the winding machine in which are rotatably mounted the horizontal winding-spindle 3 and cam-shaft 4. On the rearward end of the spindle 3, is a drivingpulley 5 adapted to be rotatively connected therewith by suitable clutch-devices, not herein shown or described in detail, and through which the machine is operated from a driving-belt driven from any suitable source of power. Outwardly beyond the driving-pulley 5 is a belt-pulleyfi fixedly secured to the spindle 3 and connected. by a belt 7 to a lower pulley 8. The pulley 8 1s fixed on the end of a countershaft 9 which carrles a pinion 10 at its opposite end, the latter meshing with a gear 11 on the end of the cam-shaft 4. The shaft 9 is journaled in a bearing in a casing 12 which serves as a gear-box and oil-reservoir for the gears 10 and 11. U

On the forward end of the spindle 3 is a conical mandrel or arbor 13 which serves as a support for the paper or fiber cone-tube X on which the package is wound. The thread-guide 14 which is adapted to be reciprocated opposite the cone-holder. 13 is carried in a traverse-frame 15 which is formed with two arms or legs 16, 17, pivoted on'the cam-shaft 4. The thread-guide 14 bears against a traverse-frame back 18 which is shaped to adapt the guide to move in a path at an angle to the axis of the cone-- holder whereby it may follow the tapered surface of the cone-tube X. The traverse frame 15 swings on its bearings about the axis of the cam-shaft 4 to allow'the threadguide 14 to recede from the axis of the coneholder 13 as the package is built up on the tube X. This movement oflthe traverseframe 15 outwardly away from the axis ofweight 19 depending from the arm 16 of the traverse-frame 15.

The thread-guide 14 consists of a sheetmetal arm or plate having a forwardlybent upperend, see Fig. 3, in which is formed a guiding-slot 20. The lower end of the guide 14 is connected to a traverserod 21 which slides in a slot 22 in the outer, overhanging portion of the traverse-frame 15. The rearward end of the traverse-rod 21 is connected to a slide or crosshead 23 which slides in a vertical slot 24 formed in the horizontal portion of the traverse-frame 15 which extends between the two legs 16 the winding-spindle is resisted by a counterand.17. The crosshead 23 is of substantially L-shape in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 3, having a lower extension or foot 25 which abuts the under side of the frame 15 to preventv it from riding up out of its slot 24. The above described construction is common to a well known type of machine now in general use, and heretofore it has been the practice to connect the traverse-bar or rod 21 to be reciprocated from a cylindrical cam 26 mounted fast on the cam-shaft 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the cam 26 .is constructed with a cylindrical rim supported by radial arms 27 extending from a central hub 28. On its periphery is a helical groove 29 which is adapted to engage a suitable roll or stud connected to reciprocate the traverse-bar 21. In my present type of construction, instead of connecting the traverse-slide 23 directly with the cam 26, 1 provide an intermediary means therebetween whereby during the reciprocation of the traverse-bar its traverse will be shifted to advance the thread-guide progressively outward toward the apex end of the cone. This noveland improved arrangement provides for shifting the traverse of the guide longitudinally of the cone-holder whereby to gradually displace the layers of winding which results in the concavo-convex formation at the ends of the cone being built.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, inmy present improvement the traversecam 26 imparts motion to an auxiliary slide or crosshead 30 which, in turn, transmits motion to the main slide 23 which is connected to the thread-guide 14 through the traverse-bar 21. The crosshead 30 is preferably constructed of sheet-metal and comprises a flat plate-portion 31 formed with two upturned ears 32, 32. The ears '32 are apert'ured to receive a sleeve or bushing 33 which is adapted to slide on ,a track or rod 34. The rod 34 extends horizontally across the top of the cam 26 with its ends supported in the uprights of the mainframe 2 of the machine, see Fig. 1. Forward of the rod or track 34 the plate 31 carries a stud 35 held in place by a nut 36 which binds 37 against the under side of the plate. otatably mounted on the lower end of the stud 35 is a roller or bowl 40 which engages the groove 29 in the cam 26.

7 Through this means the slide or crosshead 30 is connected to be reciprocated from the cam to slide it along its track or rod 34.

. Extending upwardly from the plate 31 is an arm 41 which is continued in an arcuate strip .42 formed concentric with the axis of the cam 26 as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the extension 42 is inclined at a sharp angle to the axis of the rod 34 on which the crosshead 30 slides. The extension 42 projects across the top of the traverse-slide 23 and is engaged by two inclined ears 43, 43 which project upwardly outwardly in this manner the traverse-slide 20 in the thread-guide 14 and its end from the traverse-slide, and overhang the top of the arm 42 to prevent it from being lifted out of place. These ears allow the traverse-slide 23 to move outwardly along the arm 42' while maintaining it constantly connected with the crosshead 30 whereby thetwo parts Will move together. Referring to Fig. 3, the full lines represent the traverse-frame 15 in the position it assumes at the start of the winding when the threadguide 14 is bearing on the surface of the cone-tube X supported on the cone-holder 13. As the winding builds up on the tube X and the package increases in diameter the thread-guide 14 will be forced away from the axis of the winding-spindle 3 and the traverse-frame 15 will be carried outwardly toward the position shown by the dash-lines in Fig. 3. As the traverse-frame 15 moves 23 slides outwardly along the inclined extension or arm 42 on the crosshead 30 which acts as a cam to shift the traverse-bar 21 to displace the thread-guide 14 gradually outward in the direction of the apex of the cone.

The method of operation of the complete apparatus is as follows: In preparing the machine for operation the cone-tube or paper-shell X is slipped on over the outside of the cone-holder 13 and secured in place through any suitable means as usually provided. The thread or yarn 1 is then led up from its source of supply through the slot fastened to the tube X. The operator now swings the traverse-frame 15 into starting position with the guide 14 bearing against the surface of the tube X, and the machine is then ready for winding the cone. Power is applied to drive the winding-spindle 3 and rotation is communicated therefrom through the pulleys 6, 8 and belt 7 to the gears 10 and 11 to drive the cam-shaft 4.

As the spindle 3 rotates, the yarn is wound onto the tube X, and meanwhile the cam 26 acts to reciprocate the crosshead 30. Motion is communicated from the crosshead 30 to reciprocate ,the traverse-slide 23, and the traverse-bar 15 is thereby reciprocated to traverse the thread-guide 14 back and forth along the surface-of the tube X. As the yarn builds up on the tube X in superimposed layers of helical coils the growing diameter of the package forces the threadguide 14 away from the axis of the coneholder 13, thereby causing the traverseframe 15 to swing back in the direction indicated by the arrow at, Fig. 3. This swinging movement of the traverse-frame 15 126 causes the traverse-slide 23 to be carried out along the inclined arm or cam-sector 42.

As the slide 23 advances outwardly on the cam-sector 42 the traverse-bar 15 will be shifted in an axial direction toward the apex end of the cone. In this way the from the base end of the package so that.

each layer of, winding will be displaced in the direction of the apex or small end of the cone. As the winding traverse -of the thread-guide is gradually displaced along the cone-holder 13 to cause it to deposit the yarn in. stepped-back layers progressively receding from the larger end of the cone and approaching the outer, smaller end. In other words, the cone is built up in progressively-advanced layers so that the mass gradually assumes a convex contour at the base of the cone and a hollow concave formation at its apex end as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines-in Fig. 1.

It will be understood'that the object of giving this concavo-convex shape to the opposite ends of the cone is to provide a more stable structure of its mass while also facilistructure, better able to resist rough'treatment in handling and packing, while also providing that the package may be set on tating the delivery of the yarn in unwinding it from the package. The convexing of the base of the cone produces'a more stable its base without contact of the yarn with the surface on which the cone is supported. That is tosay, when the cone-tube X is set on a horizontal support the ends of the layers at the base end of the cone will incline upwardly away from the support so that the yarn will not contact therewith, and. thus the ends of the layers will not be damaged or deranged to prevent free unwinding of the yarn. The advancing or stepping forward of the ends of the layers at the base end of the cone gives amuch stancher'v structure to the whole mass, while the cup-shape format the small end of the cone also tends to protectthelayers and add .to the general stability of the whole package. The most important'feature of improvement, however, resides in the, fact that the coils of winding are prevented from overrunning the end of the cone at its base. That is to say, the coils will be prevented from slipping down over the edge of the .cone at the ends of the layers or becoming pulled over in loose lengths'extending across its base. Such. overruns or cobwebs, as they are termed, tend to interfere with the delivery of the yarn when it is drawn off over the small end of the cone and frequently causes straining on breaking of the strands before the end can be released.

I am aware that it is not broadly new in the art-to produce a cone-package having its layers progressively displaced to form a convex base and a concave apex end. Here tofore, however, this method of winding the cone has usuallybeen applied to machines progresses the of the drumor friction-driven type,*and in shaping the ends of the cone it. only required the, shifting of the cone-holder along the drum during the winding. The present machine is distinguished from winders of the drum type in that the cone or package is rotated positively from the wind ing-spindle instead of being driven through frictional contact of its surface with a drum or drive roll. In drum winders the yarn is not laid uniformly and precisely in accordance with a regular system, but the coils are wound open and in a haphazard manner, and the resultant package is inferior to a positively-wound cone. ent machine the winding-spindle and traverse thread-guide are driven at a constant rate of speed with a uniform synchrony between their operation whereby a regular, systematic and precise disposition of the coils or turns of the winding is arrived at.

.chine being illustrated in U. S. Patent No.

1,258,824, granted to George 'N. -Taylor Mar. 12, 1918. In this prior type of machine means are provided for sliding the cone longitudinally of the winding-spindle from which it is, rotated, and this means is operated by the swinging movement of the 3 traverse-frame. It has been found inpractice that such a type of machine is open to certain objections as requiring minutelyaccurate coordination of the parts which operate (the cone-shiftin mechanism. .A slight error in the relation or adjustment of these parts will sometimes cause a dislocation of the thread-guide whereb its proper functioning cannot be secured. hat is to say, ithas been the experience that after the traverse-guide has been moved away from the cone-holder, to piece up an end, in returning it to position it is well nigh impossible to set it in the same relation to the winding as before the traverseframe was displaced. If the guide is not set back in exactly the same place from which it is removed, it will not dispose the layers properly in building the re-- ma'inder of the cone, and in fact frequently the coils of thewinding will be carried too far one way or the other so that the yarn will slip over theedge of the cone and cause overruns or cobwebs. My present improvement is designed to overcome these justment. The direct connection between In the presthe reciprocating crosshead and the travers'e-slide acts automatically so that after the thread-guide has been moved away from the surface of the package it can be returned in exactly the same relation without danger of disrupting the synchrony of cooperation between the winding-mandrel and the guide. Furthermore, the displacement of the guide requires less power than to shift the relatively heavy cone-holder itself, especially when the cone on the latter is nearing completion and of considerable bulk The thread-guide, the traverse-slide and their connections. arerelatively light in weight, and hencecan be displaced very easily without causing thetraverse-frame to encounter abnormal resistance as it moves away from the winding'-spindle. The shifting of the thread-guide is made consequent. to the normal functioning of the general elements of the winding-mechanism, and

it will be noted that very few new parts are required to effect the action desired. Furthermore, such additional parts as are employed are of simple construction, economical to manufacture, and the complete device may be employed as a fitment or attachment for standardtypes of machines already in use. That is to say, it can be applied to the machine without any considerable alteration or reconstruction of its original parts and without requiring material refitting thereof. As before stated, the mechanism is proof against derangement and is adapted forlong wear without deterioration;

It is to be observed that the present in-v vention relates to a type of machine which is distinctive from the usual bobbin or pirn winder. That is to say, the present improvement is directed to machines for producing cone-packages of relatively great bulk, and should not be confused with ma chines for winding filling-cops or bobbins. In bobbin-winders it has been a common practice to shift the traverse of the threadguide in relation to the winding spindie during the winding so that the cop grows through longitudinal extension instead of by diametrical increase. This for i I of package, however,.is not composed of layers of uniform length equal in extent to the full length of the cop. Neither is it built up with a relatively, flat, but slightly convex base, and a concave small end, but on the contrary both ends are pointed or tapered.) As before stated'the present invention distinguishes from this latter type of winder in that it operates on a diiferent principle to produce a different form of package which is applied to a 'dififerent use from that of a bobbin or pirn.

1 Various modifications might be made ,in the structure andarrangement of the parts of my improved device without departing i for reciprocating the traversing-means, and

means connecting the traversing-means with the reciprocating-means to cause the traverse of the yarn to be continuously Eadvanced in one direction longitudinally of the mandrel whereby to progressively displace the successive layers of winding to build the package with concavo-convex ends. 2. In a winding machine, the combina tion with a rotating winding-mandrel, of means to guide the yarn onto the'mandrel, means to effect a traversing motion between the guiding-means and mandrel, reciprocating-means for operating the traversingmeans, and means connecting the traversing means with the reciprocating-means to progressively and continuously advance the layers of winding in one direction longitudinally of the mandrel to build up the packagg with a concave-convex formation atits en s.

3. In a windin' machine, the combination with a rotating winding-mandrel, ofmeans to guide the yarn onto the mandrel,

means to cause a relative traversing motion between the guiding means and mandrel, reciprocating-means for operating the traversin means, and means connecting the trave ing-means with the reciprocatingmeans to progressively displace the layers of winding in one direction longitudinally of the mandrel, said displacing means be ing operated by the growth in the winding to cause the package to be built up with concave-convex ends.

4-. In a machine for winding frusto-conical packages, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide for traversing the yarn longitudinally of the holder, means to reciprocate the thread-guide op 11: posite the holder, and means connecting the guide with its reciprocating-means and operating to displace the traverse of the guide in the direction oftheapex of the cone to progressively advance the layers of winding to cause the base of the cone to assume a convex formation while its apex end is correspondingly concated.

5. Ina machine forwinding frusto-conical packages, the combination with a rotatconnecting the-cam with the guide to cause with a convex base and a concave apex end.

6. In a machine for winding frusto-conical packages, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide for traversing the yarn longitudinally of the holder, a traverse-slide connected to reciprocate the guide, a cam for reciprocating the slide, and automatically-operated means intermediate the cam and slide for shifting the slide progressively in relation to the cam to displace the thread-guide whereby to advance the layers of winding to step them forward, to build the cone with a convex base.

7 In a machine for winding frusto-conical packages, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide for traversing the yarn longitudinally of the holder, a cam, a crosshead reciprocated from the cam, a slide connected to reciprocate the guide, and means connecting the crosshead to reciprocate the slide while causing the latter to be gradually displaced in relation to the crosshead to operate the thread-guide with a progressive advance of its traverse along the cone;

8. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a traversing thread-guide adapted to recede from the cone-holder as the winding in creases in diameter, means to traverse the guide, and means influenced by the movement of the guide away from the cone-holder to effect a gradual displacement of the traverse of the guide longitudinally of the holder to advance the layers of winding toward the apex of the cone whereby to build the latter with a convex base.

9. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder, means to traverse the guide, a traverse-frame for supporting the guide to adapt it to recede from the cone-holder as the winding increases in diameter, and means influenced by the movement of the traverse-frame to effect a gradual shifting of the traverse of the guide to progressively displace the layers of winding in the direction of the apex of the cone to build the latter with a convex base.

10. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder, a reciprocating crosshead connected to traverse the guide, and a cammember arranged to progressively advance the guide in relation to the crosshead whereby to displace the layers of winding toward the apex end of the cone to cause the latter to be built up with a convex base.

11. In a cone-winding machine, the comwinding,

bination with a rotating coneholder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder, reciprocating-means for traversing the guide, a cam-member arranged between the reciprocating-means and the guide, and means traveling on the cam-member to gradually displace the guide in relation to its reciprocating-means to advance the layers of winding toward the apex end of the cone to build the latter with a convex base. 1

12. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder, a crosshead for traversing the guide, means to reciprocate the crosshead, a cam-member carried by the crosshead, and means connected with the guide and slidable on the cam-member. to effect a gradual displacement of the guide with respect to its reciprocating-means whereby to advance the layers of winding toward the apex end of the cone to build the latter with a convex base.

13. In a cone-winding machine, the combinationwith a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder, a cam for traversing the guide, a crosshead reciprocated from the cam, a slide connected to the guide and adapted to be reciprocated from the crosshead, an inclined cam-member on the crosshead, and means on the slide movable along the cam-member to progressivelyv displace the guide whereby to advance the layers of winding toward the apex end of the cone to build the latter with a convex base.

14. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with .a rotating cone-holder, of a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder and arranged to recede therefrom with the increase in diameter of the reciprocating-means for traversing the guide, a cam-member connected with the reciprocating-means, and means connected with the guide and movable along the cam-member as the guide recedes from the holder to gradually displace the guide with relation to its reciprocating-means to shift the layers of winding to build the cone with a convex base. x

15. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with a rotating cone-holder, of a- 16. In a cone-winding machine, the combination with the main-frame thereof, of a. winding-spindle rotatable in bearings thereon, a cone-holder rotated from said spindle, a traverse-frame pivoted on the frame to adapt it to swing away from the cone-holder, a thread-guide adapted to be reciprocated on the traverse-frame, a traverse-cam, a track fixed on the main-frame, a crosshead slidable on said track and connected to be reciprocated from the cam, a

traverse-slide slidable on the traverse-frame and connected with the thread-guide, and an inclined cam-member connecting the crosshead with the traverseslide and slidable in one of them whereby to displace the thread-guide in the direction of its traverse in the manner and for thepurpose sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. 20

GE RGE MARCROFT. 

